In 17th Century Rome, connections are everything. But for 15-year-old Beppo Ghirlandi, an indentured servant accused of murder, there is nowhere to turn. The only one who will help him is the painter from across the Piazza, the madman-genius known as Caravaggio—who, unfortunately, has himself just killed a man. By helping Caravaggio flee, Beppo might just be able to stay alive.
Mark David Smith Mark David Smith was born and raised in Vancouver. He teaches English for the Burnaby School District and has travelled extensively with his work, teaching in both Uganda and Kuwait. He resides in Port Coquitlam with his wife and children, a cat, a liziard, several fish and an ever—growing number of aquatic snails.
"Combining the timeless allure of action and young-love romance with the historically accurate and turbulent life of the painter Caravaggio, this story succeeds on all levels."
— Kirkus Starred review
"Set in Italy at the beginning of the 17th century, this first novel by Port Coquitlam, B.C. author Smith has plenty of information about the famous artist Caravaggio — both about his important commissions and his mercurial temperament. . . Juvenile readers, especially those who enjoy hearing of sword fights and pirates, will appreciate this book."
— Winnepeg Free Press
"Once I started reading, I had great difficulty setting it aside... A fast-paced, dangerous, and ever-changing adventure."
—Sal's Fiction Addiction
"In his fast-paced debut teen adventure novel Caravaggio: Signed in Blood, Burnaby English teacher Mark Smith picks up the story of Caravaggio's tempestuous life just before Caravaggio kills a man in a street fight."
—BC Bookworld
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